The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015

Made: 16-02-2015 | Laid: 19-02-2015 | Forced: 19-03-2015

Overview


Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are man-made gases widely used in industry. Although they don’t deplete the ozone layer, they are very powerful greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential (GWP)* 23,000 times greater than carbon dioxide. They account for 3% of the EU's overall greenhouse gas emissions, but this is increasing. In an effort to combat climate change, the EU plans to cut F-gas emissions by two thirds of the 2014 levels, by 2030. In 2015, the EU began phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the largest type of F-gas.

F-gas family

There are three types of F-gases, with hydrofluorocarbons accounting for 85% of their usage:

NameKnown asUse
HydrofluorocarbonsHFCs
  • Refrigeration
  • Air conditioning
  • Heat pump equipment
  • Propellants in industrial aerosols
  • Foam blowing
  • Solvent cleaning
  • In fire extinguishers
PerfluorocarbonsPFCs

Making everyday products more resistant to stains, grease, and water:

  • Non-stick cookware
  • Stain resistant carpets and sofas
  • Water-resistant clothes and mattresses

Also used in some firefighting materials.

PFCs help reduce friction so are widely used in the following industries:

  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Building and construction
  • Electronics
Sulphur hexafluorideSF6
  • In the electrical industry
  • For ultrasound imaging
  • In the semiconductor industry


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